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🏛️elementary latin review

Vir fortis est

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The phrase 'vir fortis est' translates to 'the man is brave' in English. This expression illustrates how a subject (in this case, 'vir' meaning 'man') can be described or defined by a predicate adjective ('fortis' meaning 'brave'). This construction showcases the relationship between nouns and their qualities, allowing for a clearer understanding of their characteristics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. 'Vir fortis est' exemplifies the use of a linking verb (est) to connect the subject (vir) with the predicate adjective (fortis).
  2. In Latin, adjectives must agree with the nouns they describe in gender, number, and case; hence, 'fortis' matches 'vir' which is masculine singular.
  3. The structure of this phrase emphasizes the attribute of bravery as a defining quality of the subject.
  4. Using 'est' indicates a present state or characteristic of the subject rather than an action.
  5. This phrase can be modified to reflect different subjects and characteristics by changing the noun and adjective while maintaining the same structure.

Review Questions

  • How does the phrase 'vir fortis est' illustrate the function of a predicate adjective in Latin?
    • 'Vir fortis est' demonstrates that a predicate adjective, like 'fortis', serves to describe or provide more information about the subject 'vir'. In this structure, 'est' acts as the linking verb connecting the subject to its description. This shows how adjectives in Latin are used not just to modify nouns but to define essential qualities of subjects.
  • Discuss how adjective agreement plays a role in understanding the meaning of 'vir fortis est'.
    • 'Vir fortis est' highlights the importance of adjective agreement, as 'fortis' must match 'vir' in gender (masculine), number (singular), and case (nominative). This agreement ensures clarity in communication, confirming that we are speaking about a brave man specifically. If the subject were plural or feminine, we would need different forms of the adjective to maintain grammatical accuracy.
  • Evaluate how changing elements in 'vir fortis est' can alter its meaning and implications.
    • Changing either the subject or the adjective in 'vir fortis est' leads to new interpretations and meanings. For instance, if we change 'vir' to 'femina' (woman) and keep 'fortis', we get 'femina fortis est', meaning 'the woman is brave'. This shift not only alters who is being described but also can have broader cultural implications regarding bravery across genders. Additionally, substituting 'fortis' with another adjective like 'sapiens' (wise) creates yet another distinct statement about the qualities of the individual being discussed.